Dual purpose christmas tree bag

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a Christmas tree bag comprising a sheet having mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when the closure means are mated, the sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein. Drawstrings along each opposing end of the sheet are operable to substantially close each open end of the bag. The bag may be used as a tree skirt, thereby catching fallen needles, or easily removed from the tree after installation in the tree stand and replaced for disposal. The bag is reusable, durable and washable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention deals with the field of Christmas tree bags and more particularly to a combination Christmas tree bag and needle catcher skirt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Real Christmas trees are popular despite the appearance of realistic artificial trees. A common problem with such real trees is that the needles fall off and make a mess during installation and removal, as well as while the tree is standing. Especially on carpet, these needles can be very difficult to clean up.

[0003] Many people use a tree skirt to cover the Christmas tree stand to catch some of the needles falling while the Christmas tree is standing on display. People also use a Christmas tree bag to cover the tree when the tree is taken in or out of the house and thereby catching any falling needles. A device that is a combination of a tree skirt and tree bag would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag for carrying a Christmas tree that could also serve as a tree skirt.

[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a bag that is easily removed from the Christmas tree after installation of the tree in the stand.

[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a bag that is easy to carry.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a bag that is washable, durable and reusable.

[0008] The invention accomplishes these objects by providing a sheet having mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when said closure means are fully mated, said sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein, and that when said closure means are partially mated, said sheet forms a tree skirt.

[0009] The mating closure means could be a zipper or hook and loop (Velcro™) fastener. The tree is simply placed in the bag at the point of purchase where the zipper or Velcro™ fastener and the drawstrings are closed. The trunk of the tree could extend through the bottom opening and the drawstring pulled tight around it. In this fashion the tree could be installed in the stand while still in the bag. Once the tree is installed the drawstrings can be loosened and the zipper unfastened so that the bag is easily removed from the tree.

[0010] Alternatively the zipper could be unfastened only partially to facilitate lowering the bag to the bottom of the tree where it will cover the stand and act as, or form, a tree skirt.

[0011] A handle, such as a strip of fabric-like material sewn to the exterior of the bag, could be attached to make the Christmas tree in the bag much easier to carry.

[0012] The bag could be substantially cylindrical, or be tapered to follow the shape of the tree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a side view of the embodiment with the zipper closed;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the zipper partially open;

[0016]FIG. 3 illustrates the display position of the bag, of the embodiment of FIG. 1, covering the tree stand and acting as a tree skirt.

[0017]FIGS. 4-6 are a series of side views of the embodiment of FIG. 1 being moved from the display position over a Christmas tree to facilitate neat disposal of same.

[0018]FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of another embodiment of the invention illustrating two handles sewn onto the exterior of the bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the invention. A sheet 1 has a zipper 2 along two opposing sides thereof such that when the zipper is fully fastened, the sheet 1 forms a bag 3. Alternatively, if the zipper is partially fastened, the sheet 1 forms a tree skirt. In this embodiment the fastener is a zipper, but a Velcro™ or other fastener could be employed as well. Drawstrings 4 are sewn into the opposing ends of the bag 3. A handle 5 is formed of a strip of material sewn onto the exterior of the bag 3 to facilitate carrying the Christmas tree 6 (as illustrated in FIG. 6). Preferably the sheet 1 is made from nylon, although cotton or other fabric-like material will be equally suitable.

[0020]FIG. 3 illustrates the display position of the bag 3, of the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the sheet 1 covers the tree stand 9 and acts as, or forms, a tree skirt 3 b. Needles 7 that fall from the tree 6 land on the tree skirt 3 b, or in the folds thereof, and are retained and collected there for the most part. The skirt 3 b can be arranged so that the majority of the needles 7 that fall from the tree 6 will land in the folds of the skirt 3 b and be collected for later disposal with the tree 6. The lower drawstring 4 b could be drawn up somewhat to facilitate catching the needles 7, but could be loose enough to facilitate pouring water into the tree stand reservoir.

[0021]FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the operation of the bag 3 as used to remove a Christmas tree 6 along with the accumulated needles 7 once the tree no longer needs to be displayed. The bag 3 is partially raised to allow the lower drawstring 4 b to be drawn tight around the trunk S of the Christmas tree 6. The bag 3 is then fully raised and the zipper 2 is fully fastened. Finally the upper drawstring 4 a is drawn closed. The Christmas tree 6 and needles 7 are then enclosed in the bag 3. The tree 6 may then be removed from the tree stand 9 and transported neatly for disposal with the aid of the handle 5. Further, the tree 6 enclosed in the bag 3 can be easily carried inside or outside of a vehicle. Installation of the tree 6 is accomplished in substantially the reverse order.

[0022] Alternatively the zipper 2 may be completely unfastened and the bag 3 removed from the tree 6 while it is on display. The bag 6 may be then utilized later for disposal of the tree 6. A bag 3 of nylon or cotton material is durable and washable and will last for several seasons, as opposed to present bags which are for the most part useable only once.

[0023] The cotton, nylon or other fabric-like material of the sheet 1 may be coloured in traditional Christmas colours such as red or green. The material falls in attractive folds around the tree 6, and is as well durable and washable, allowing the bag 3 to be serviceable for a number of years.

[0024]FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose another embodiment of the invention wherein two handles 5 a, 5 b are sewn onto the exterior of the bag 3. The two handles 5 a, 5 b are substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the bag 3 so as to further facilitate carrying of the tree 6 contained inside the bag 3.

[0025] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is being claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A Christmas tree bag comprising: a sheet having a top end, a bottom end, and mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when said closure means are fully mated, said sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein, and that when said closure means are partially mated, said sheet forms a tree skirt; an upper drawstring along the top end of said sheet operable to substantially close said open top end of said bag; and a lower drawstring along the bottom end of said sheet operable to substantially close said open bottom end.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mating closure means comprises a zipper fastener.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mating closure means comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a handle attached to the exterior of said bag.
 5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising two handles attached to the exterior of said bag.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bag is substantially cylindrical.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bag is substantially tapered to follow the shape of the tree.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said sheet is made from nylon.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said sheet is made from cotton.
 10. A method for collecting fallen needles from a Christmas tree having a trunk, said Christmas tree and trunk being supported by a tree stand, the method comprising: providing a sheet having a top end, a bottom end, and mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when said closure means are fully mated, said sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein, and that when said closure means are partially mated, said sheet forms a tree skirt; providing an upper drawstring along the top end of said sheet operable to substantially close said open top end of said bag; providing a lower drawstring along the bottom end of said sheet operable to substantially close said open bottom end; placing said sheet around the Christmas tree; partially mating said closure means thereby forming the sheet into a tree skirt; covering said tree stand with the partially mated bag; drawing the lower drawstring to substantially close around the trunk of the Christmas tree; collecting any fallen needles in the tree skirt;
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of: raising the top end up over the tree; fully mating said closure means thereby forming the sheet into a tree bag; drawing the upper drawstring substantially closed, wherein the Christmas tree and any fallen needles are enclosed in the bag.
 12. A Christmas tree bag comprising: a sheet having mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when said closure means are mated, said sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein; and a drawstring along each opposing end of said sheet operable to substantially close each said open end of said bag.
 13. The invention of claim 12 wherein said mating closure means comprises a zipper fastener.
 14. The invention of claim 12 wherein said mating closure means comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 15. The invention of claim 12 further comprising a handle attached to the exterior of said bag.
 16. The invention of claim 12 further comprising two handles attached to the exterior of said bag.
 17. The invention of claim 12 wherein said bag is substantially cylindrical.
 18. The invention of claim 12 wherein said bag is substantially tapered to follow the shape of the tree. 